A trio of $10,000 divisions of the Prospector Claiming Series went postward at Georgian Downs on Saturday evening, with Sunday Attack, France and Dontdragmeshoppin chalking up wins in the opening leg
.
Simon Allard used a front-stepping approach with Sunday Attack in the opening division. The Rene Allard-trained five-year-old son of On The Attack took over past the quarter pole and held on to win by three-quarters of a length over Shark Watch in 1:57.2. Real Energy turned in an eye-catching rally to finish third.
Rene Allard of Saint-Esprit, QC and Jeff Rusnak of Lasalle, ON took home the lion’s share of the purse, but they lost the pacer via the claim. The gelding was taken for $12,000 by new owner Robert McIlravey of Barrie, ON.
Despite a first-over journey, France managed to drive away on the competition for a 1:56.1 win in his assignment. Scott Zeron engineered the winning trip for the Rene Bourassa-trained four-year-old son of Real Desire, who picked off pacesetter Major Glass. Third prize went to Rich Raider.
Steve Mihalic of Burlington and Brent Brown of Paris, ON shared ownership on the gelding, who was claimed from the winning effort by Mark Etsell and partner William Brown.
The final division proved to be a one-horse race as Dontdragmeshoppin rallied to win by more than six lengths in 1:56.3 for the tandem of driver Paul MacKenzie and trainer Ghyslain Gagne. The four-year-old son of Dragon Again, who was sent off as a 10-1 outsider, defeated Partyingwithweaver and race favourite Houdini Spur.
Francois Morin of Beauceville, QC owned the pacer, who was claimed from tonight’s assignment by Yvon Vaillancourt, Ron Nobes and Danny Girard.
Round two of the Prospector Claiming Series goes next Saturday at Georgian Downs, and in the second round horses race for claiming tags of $15,000 (plus allowances if necessary). The $35,000 (added) final is set for Saturday, May 1.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.